Suffolk, renowned for its scenic countryside and historic towns, also boasts a range of excellent educational settings, making it an attractive destination for families.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to some of the best places to live in Suffolk when you’re moving with children and schools are a high consideration.
Clare
Clare, a historic town, is not only home to a breadth of beautiful architecture but also home to some excellent schools. Clare Community Primary School is highly regarded for its nurturing environment and strong academic performance. The school encourages a love for learning and provides a supportive atmosphere for its students.
For secondary education, families often look to Stour Valley Community School also in Clare, rated by OFSTED as Good. This school is known for its dedicated staff and strong community ethos, providing a well-rounded education for its students.
Long Melford
Long Melford is a delightful village, with a community spirit that extends to its schools. Long Melford Church of England Primary School offers a welcoming environment with a focus on individual students. The school’s strong emphasis on values and academic excellence makes it a popular choice.
At the moment it’s worth noting that the closest secondary school, Ormiston Sudbury Academy, has been judged as Requires Improvement by OFSTED. However, this often means the school is on the cusp of meaningful change and improvement.
Castle Hedingham
Castle Hedingham, a village steeped in history, offers a tranquil setting with access to quality education. It’s a wonderful place for children to grow up. St Peter’s Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School in the village is well-regarded.
For secondary schooling, families often opt for Hedingham School and Sixth Form, located a short distance away, just over the border into Essex. The school boasts excellent facilities and a wide range of extracurricular activities.
Bury St Edmunds
Bury St Edmunds is a vibrant market town that is a popular home town for families. It has a large number of primary and secondary schools to choose from. Many children from outlying villages come into Bury for their schooling, especially at secondary level. Bury St Edmunds also has a wide choice of special schools at primary and secondary level.
At primary level, choices include Sebert Wood Community Primary School, Abbots Green Primary Academy, Guildhall Feoffment Community Primary, St Edmundsbury Church of England Primary School, Westgate Community Primary School, St Edmund’s Catholic Primary School, Tollgate Primary School, Great Barton Church of England Primary Academy and Sexton’s Manor Primary School.
In terms of secondary schools, there are four schools to consider in the state sector: Sybil Andrews Academy, King Edward VI CEVC School, Bury St Edmunds County High School, and St Benedict’s Catholic School.
Suffolk County Council provide useful information on schools in our area, as well as term dates and how to apply for places etc. You can find out more here https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/children-families-and-learning/schools.
You can compare the performance of schools and colleges in Suffolk by visiting the Gov.uk website https://www.gov.uk/school-performance-tables?_ga=2.55961707.1760334910.1723458301-1400221735.1723458301 which includes information on pupil numbers, absence rates and links to the Ofsted reports.
Private schools in Suffolk
Suffolk has a broad mix of private schools too, most of which are co-educational. You can search for private schools by location using The Independent Schools Council online tool. Examples include Culford School and Brookes School in Bury St Edmunds.
Help choosing a property near good schools
Choosing the right school for your children is crucial, and Suffolk offers a plethora of excellent options. But this can be overwhelming when you consider the unique needs of your child. We have homes for sale across Suffolk, but also the expert advice to help you make the right decision for your family. We are proud to offer homes in prime locations, ensuring your family can enjoy both a beautiful new home and access to excellent schools.
